Method and system for magnetic toss gaming

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems and pieces for developing and challenging eye-hand coordination are provided. In one version, a game is provided that includes one or more magnetically charged game pieces. A magnetic target may be mounted on a preferably inclined and magnetically attractive target surface. One or more game piece forms an aperture. The aperture enables the game piece to be more easily tossed toward and adhere to a magnetically attractive surface. The apertures further allow the game pieces to overlay each other when adhered to the target surface.

CONTINUATION-IN-PART

This US Nonprovisional patent application is a Continuation-in-Part ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/428,951 filed on Dec. 31, 2010 byinventor Wayne Morgan, the same inventor of this US Nonprovisionalpatent application, and titled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC TOSSGAMING. This US Nonprovisional patent application claims benefit of thepriority date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/428,951 for allpurposes, and incorporates the entire disclosure of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 61/428,951 into this US Nonprovisional patentapplication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to objects that may be tossed byhand. The present invention further relates to objects that temporarilyadhere to a surface when thrown by hand against the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eye hand coordination is a skill that is useful in a myriad of humanoccupations and pastimes. The tossing of game pieces towards a targetsurface or object, such as a flat surface, a wall or a vertical post,may help develop eye-hand coordination as well as provide entertainmentvalue.

A number of games have been developed which involve the use of gamepieces that temporarily adhere to a target surface. The prior artincludes magnetically charged game pieces that adhere against a surfacethat is magnetically attractive to the game pieces.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,605 to Davey discloses a magnetic toss game thatsimulates an established sports game. Davey's game provides a pluralityflat magnetic disks that are shaped to evoke or signify a hockey puck,soccer ball, football, basketball, or golf ball, and the like. Each typeof game piece has a corresponding magnetic target that is designed toevoke or signify a hockey net, soccer goal net, football goal post,basketball net, golf green with hole, and the like. The magnetic targetof Davey may be mounted on a refrigerator, or other flat metallicsurface, and is preferably vertically oriented. The magnetic targetmounted on the flat metallic surface is intended to form a game surfacecapable of adhering magnetic interaction with the thrown magnetic gamepieces. The game pieces are each flat, continuous sheets that too oftenbounce off of the game surface and fail to adhere to the game surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,587 to O'Grady discloses a Magnetic Game and Methodwhich involves a rigid backed game board which itself is magnetized toattract the projectiles thrown at the game board. U.S. Pat. No.4,676,509 to Bishop discloses a Molded Bingo Chip with MagneticStructure Secured Therein. The chip of Bishop is a bingo markercontaining a preformed slot into which is placed a structure of magneticmaterial. An additional sealing layer of material is placed and securedover the magnetic material, thus sealing the magnetic structure withinthe bingo marker. U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,597 to Smith et al. discloses aferromagnetic device for attracting and picking up circular or disc-likemarker means which comprise an enmeshed magnetically chargeable metallicscreen. U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,207 to Jones and U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,684 toGenin each separately disclose magnetized game boards designed toattract magnetic game pieces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,841 to Klick disclosesa game board comprised of a metallic wire screen embedded between twolayers of flexible plastic. U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,325 to Sheem discloses amagnetic dart game simulating ball games such as football, baseball andbasketball.

However, none of the prior art magnetic toss game pieces provide a gamepiece design that is optimally adapted to enable successful adhesion ofthe game pieces to a target surface when the game pieces collide againstthe target surface as thrown by a human player. There is therefore along-felt need to provide an improved game piece design, method andsystem that supports more accurate and consistent placement ofmagnetically charged game pieces by hand tossing towards a magneticallyattractive magnetic surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the present invention are made obvious inlight of this disclosure, wherein a method, system and a game piece areprovided. An exemplary game piece comprises a magnetic game piece havinga body material that is shaped to form at least one aperture that isinternal to the game piece. The aperture may be fully or partiallyencompassed by the body material, and is preferably substantivelycentral to the shape of the game piece. It is understood that one ormore game pieces may be shaped to provide more than one aperture.

The invented game piece preferably provides an aperture that (a.)reduces the weight of the instant game piece, (b.) affects the summedair resistance experienced by the game piece as the game piece fliesthrough the air, and (c.) allows the human player to develop handthrowing techniques to cause the game piece to rotate about the apertureas the game piece is thrown from the player's hand and to a targetsurface. The aperture of the invented game piece further enables aplurality of game pieces to overlay each other when adhered to thetarget surface. More particularly, the method of the present inventionenables an adherence of a first game piece on a target surface, whereina portion of the target surface is encompassed by an aperture of thefirst game piece and the encompassed portion of the target surfaceremains exposed and available for adherence with the body of material ofa second game piece.

The magnetic game piece is preferably flexible and allows, when the gamepiece is tossed toward a surface having a magnetic charge that isopposite and attractive to a magnetic charge of the game piece, aleading portion of the game piece that strikes the surface to adhere tothe surface while a trailing portion of the same game piece is still inmotion toward the surface. The optional flexibility of the game piecethus allows the game piece, in certain alternate preferred embodimentsof the method of the present invention, to become magnetically coupledwith the magnetically attractive surface upon the occurrence of physicalcontact between the leading portion and the surface and while thetrailing portion is still travelling toward, but has not yet struck, thesurface. The coupling of the leading portion might, in certaininstances, not by itself be sufficient to magnetically adhere the gamepiece to the surface, but might generate sufficient magnetic force toenable the trailing portion to come into contact with surface andthereupon cause simultaneous magnetic attraction between the surface andboth (a.) the leading portion and (b.) the trailing portion sufficientto cause the entire game piece to adhere to the surface.

One or more game pieces may optionally be color-coded and/or beardistinctive logos or images on at least one surface of the game piecebody material. The body material may comprise a flat, flexible rimhaving an inner radius that substantively forms or describes theaperture. The aperture may alternatively be shaped as a circle, anellipse, a quadrilateral, a polygon, a logo, or other shape.

The body material of one or more game pieces may provide a firstmagnetic surface and a second surface, wherein the first magneticsurface carries a higher magnetic charge than the second surface,wherein preferably the first magnetic surface carries a magnetic chargedensity per surface area that is at least an order of magnitude higherthan the magnetic charge density of the second surface.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by referenceto disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection withwhich the publications are cited. All publications, patents, and patentapplications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Such incorporations include U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,605 (inventor: Davey,III; issued on Sep. 12, 2000) titled “Magnetic toss game”; U.S. Pat. No.5,005,841 (inventor: Klick, A.; issued on Apr. 9, 1991) titled “Meansand method of a game board for receiving magnetic pieces”; U.S. Pat. No.4,681,325 (Inventor: Sheem, S.: issued on Jul. 21, 1987) titled “Gametoy”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,509 (inventor: Bishop, K.; issued on Jun. 30,1987) titled “Molded bingo chip with magnetic structure securedtherein”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,587 (inventor: O'Grady, G.; issued on Dec.15, 1981) titled “Magnetic game and method”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,597(inventors: Smith, et al.; issued on Oct. 30, 1979) titled “Magneticpick-up device and marker”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,207 (inventor: Jones,W.; issued on Apr. 8, 1975) titled “Board game apparatus”; and U.S. Pat.No. 3,122,684 (inventor: Genin et. al; issued on Feb. 25, 1964) titled“MAGNETIZED GAME BOARD CONFIGURATIONS”.

The publications discussed or mentioned herein are provided solely fortheir disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the presentinvention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue ofprior invention. Furthermore, the dates of publication provided hereinmay differ from the actual publication dates which may need to beindependently confirmed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These, and further features of various aspects of the present invention,may be better understood with reference to the accompanyingspecification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary first game piece being held by ahuman game player's hand;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a plurality of game pieces of FIG. 1 that havelanded on, and are magnetically adhered to, a target surface;

FIG. 3 is a compiled perspective view of the first game piece of FIG. 1depicted at several separate moments as the first game piece travelstoward the target surface of FIG. 2 and after the first game piece hasbeen tossed by a human player;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first game piece of FIG. 1 that isin the process of deflecting and magnetically adhering to the targetsurface of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view an alternate game piece, or magnetic disk, andillustrates an inner radius of a disk material thereof that defines analternate aperture and a second radius of the disk material that definesan outer edge of the alternate game piece;

FIG. 6 is a cut-away side view of the alternate game piece of FIG. 5that illustrates an outer layer, and adhesive and a magnetic layer;

FIG. 7 is a top view a second alternate game piece having a non-circularaperture and a non-circular outer edge;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a target that may be affixed to the targetsurface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate target having a planar surfaceand a pair of legs;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternate target of FIG. 9 in an inclinedposition;

FIG. 11 is a back view of the alternate target of FIG. 9 and showing anoptional pair of apertures and an optional pair of spring assemblies;and

FIG. 12 is a cut-away side view detail of the alternate target of FIG. 9showing an optional first clip engaging with a first leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularaspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course,vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is notintended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention willbe limited only by the appended claims.

Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recitedevents which is logically possible, as well as the recited order ofevents.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or bothof those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methodsand materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claimsmay be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statementis intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusiveterminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with therecitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1, FIG.1 is FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary first game piece 2 beingheld by a human game player's hand. The first game piece includes aflexible, flat body 4 (hereinafter “body” 4) that is defined by an innerradius R1 and an outer radius R2. In certain alternate preferredembodiments of the method of the present invention, the inner radius R1is preferably dimensioned with a range from two inches to one foot, andthe outer radius R2 is preferably dimensioned to be at least 0.25 inchgreater than the inner radius and within a range of from five inches toone foot.

The body 4 may be or comprise a flexible magnetic sheet material suchas, but not limited to, the 30 mil thick car magnetic sheeting asmarketed by LogoMagnet.com, a division of Turner Graphics Corporation ofBoiling Springs, S.C.; MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketedby Magnum Magnetics of Marietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexiblemagnetically charged material known in the art.

The body 4 may be formed of a homogenous magnetically charged material4A, or alternatively by combination of a layer of magnetic material 4Athat is adhered to an outer layer 4B, wherein the outer layer iscomposed of a less magnetically charged material. The layer of magneticmaterial 4A of the body 4 preferably holds at least ten times themagnetic charge per unit volume as the outer layer 4B.

An internal aperture A of the first game piece is formed and defined bythe inner radius R1 of the body. A planar area of the aperture A isdefined within an X-Y plane by a surface area encompassed by the innerradius R1, wherein the planar area of the aperture A is preferablygreater in magnitude than a planar body surface area of the body 4,whereby the body planar surface area of the body 4 is defined alsowithin the X-Y plane and extends from the inner radius R1 of the body 4and to the outer radius R2 of the body 4. More particularly, the surfacearea of the body 4 is defined as the area extending between the innerradius R1 and the outer radius R2 when the body is flattened out and ina planar orientation along the X-Y plane, as shown on FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.The surface area of the aperture A is preferably greater than twice themagnitude of the X-Y planar surface area of the body 4.

The planar body surface area of the body 4 preferably has a surface arealess than half in magnitude of planar surface area of the aperture A;and the body 4 preferably weighs less than four ounces to improve easeof throwing and handling by the game player.

The outer radius R2 may be dimensioned within the range of from 0.5 inchto one foot and more preferably is dimensioned in the range from twoinches to ten inches. The inner radius R1 may be dimensioned within therange from 0.25 inch shorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2to six inches shorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2. Theinner radius R1 is more preferably dimensioned within the range from 0.5inch shorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2 to three inchesshorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2, FIG.2 is a front view of a plurality of first game pieces 2 of FIG. 1 thatare landed on, and magnetically adhered to, a target surface 6. Thetarget surface 6 may be or comprise a magnetically attractive surface,such as a metal pan or sheet, a magnetically attractive door of arefrigerator, or other suitable magnetically charged or attractivematerial, surfaces and objects known in the art. The inclusion of theapertures A in the shape of the first game pieces 2 improve the capacityof the first game pieces 2 to (a.) partly overlay neighboring gamepieces 2 and (b.) more often adhere to the target surface 6 when tossedby the game player. The apertures A allow the target surface 6 tomagnetically hold the plurality of first game pieces 2 while exposingmore surface area of the target surface 6 to accept further adherence byadditional first game pieces.

The target surface 6 is preferably shaped to present both (a.) a heightdimensioned within the range of from two times the game piece outerradius R2 to three feet or greater and (b.) a width dimension orthogonalto the target surface height, wherein the target surface width isdimensioned within the range of from two times the game piece outerradius R2 to two feet or greater.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3, FIG.3 is a compiled perspective view of the first game piece 2 of FIG. 1depicted at several separate moments as the first game piece 2 travelstoward the target surface 6 of FIG. 2 and after the first game piece 2has been tossed by a game player. The aperture A allows the first gamepiece 2 to pass through the air and towards the target surface 6 withreduced air or wind resistance than if the first game piece 2 were asolid sheet of material 4 extending for the full area defined by thesecond radius R2. The shape of the first game piece 2 further affectsany spinning of the first game piece 2 resulting from the tossing of thefirst game piece 2 by the human game player as the first game piece 2passes toward the target surface 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4, FIG.4 is a perspective view of the first game piece 2 of FIG. 1 that is inthe process of deflecting while simultaneously magnetically adhering tothe target surface 6 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The inclusion of the apertureA in the shape of the first game piece 2 affects the dynamic shape andbehavior of the first game piece 2 (a.) as the first game piece 2strikes the target surface 6, and (b.) as the flexible body 4 of thefirst game piece 2 deflects as a consequence of colliding with thetarget surface 6. The deflection of the first game piece 2 experiencedduring collision of the body 4 with the target surface 6 improves theresultant probability that the first game piece 2 will adhere to thetarget surface 6.

The magnetic game piece 2 is preferably flexible and allows, when thegame piece 2 is tossed toward the target surface 6 having a magneticcharge that is opposite and attractive to a magnetic charge of the gamepiece 2, a leading portion of the game piece 2 that strikes the targetsurface 6 to adhere to the target surface 6 while a trailing portion ofthe game piece 2 is still in motion toward the target surface 6. Theoptional flexibility of the game piece 2 thus allows the game piece 2,in certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the presentinvention, to become magnetically coupled with the target surface 6 uponthe occurrence of physical contact between the leading portion and thetarget surface 6 and while the trailing portion is still travellingtoward, but has not yet struck, the target surface 6. The coupling ofthe leading portion might, in certain instances, not by itself besufficient to magnetically adhere the game piece 2 to the target surface6, but might generate sufficient magnetic force to enable the trailingportion to come into contact with target surface 6 and thereupon causesimultaneous magnetic attraction between the target surface 6 and both(a.) the leading portion and (b.) the trailing portion sufficient tocause the entire game piece 2 to adhere to the target surface 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5, FIG.5 is a top view an alternate game piece 8, or magnetized disk 8, andillustrates an inner radius R3 of a flexible magnetized material 10(hereinafter “disk” 10) that defines an alternate aperture B and a outerradius R4 of the disk 10 that defines an outer edge E1 of the disk 10. Aflat rim surface 11 of the disk 10 of the may be positioned along atwo-dimensional X-Y plane, wherein the flat rim surface 11 extendsbetween a substantively circular inner edge E2 and a substantivelycircular outer edge E1 of the magnetic disk. A preferably uniformthickness T of the disk 10 extends preferably less than two inches alonga Z-axis that is orthogonal to the X-Y plane when the flat rim 11 isaligned in parallel with the X-Y axis.

The disk 10 may be or comprise a flexible magnetic sheet material suchas, but not limited to, the 30 mil thick car magnetic sheeting asmarketed by LogoMagnet.com, a division of Turner Graphics Corporation ofBoiling Springs, S.C.; MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketedby Magnum Magnetics of Marietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexiblemagnetically charged material known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, one or more bodies 4 or disks 10 of theplurality of game pieces 2, 8 may present an image, such as a textualimage 11A that displays text, a corporate logo 11B, a sports team logo11C, or other visually discernible elements. One or more images 11A-11Cmay present one or more visible colors, such as red, blue, yellow,green, purple, orange, or a mixture or combination of colors foundwithin the light spectrum visible to the human eye.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6, FIG.6 is a cut-away side view of the magnetized disk 10 of FIG. 5 thatillustrates the outer layer 10A, an optional adhesive 10B and a magneticlayer 10C. The optional adhesive 10B may be included to bind the outerlayer 10A to the magnetic layer 10B. In certain versions of the magneticdisk 10, the outer layer 10A may bind with the magnetic layer 10C asaffected by a binding process and/or due to inner the inherent qualitiesof the outer layer 10A and/or the inner layer 10C, wherein an adhesive10B is not comprised within the alternative magnetic disk 10. Themagnetic disk 10 preferably weighs less than four ounces to improve easeof throwing and handling by the game player.

The magnetic layer 10C preferably has more than twice the magneticcharge density than the outer layer 10A, and more preferably more thantwenty times the magnetic charge density per unit volume than the outerlayer 10A. The combined thickness T of the inner layer 10A, adhesive 10Band outer layer 10C is preferably less than two inches and morepreferably in the range of from 0.1 inch to 0.25 inch.

The first game piece 2 of FIG. 1 may alternatively or additionallycomprise the magnetic layer 10C, the outer layer 10A, and/or theadhesive 10B as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7, FIG.7 is a top view a second alternate game piece 14 having a secondalternate body 14A comprising magnetically charged material and anon-circular aperture 14B. The second alternate body 14A includes anon-circular inner edge E3 and extends from the non-circular inner edgeE3 to a non-circular outer edge E4. The non-circular aperture 14B isformed by the non-circular inner edge E3 of the second alternate body14A.

The second alternate body 14A of FIG. 7 may alternatively oradditionally be or comprise the magnetic layer 10C, the outer layer 10A,and/or the adhesive 10B as shown by FIG. 6. Alternatively oradditionally, the second alternate body 14A may be or comprise aflexible magnetic sheet material, such as, but not limited to, the 30mil thick car magnetic sheeting as marketed by LogoMagnet.com, adivision of Turner Graphics Corporation of Boiling Springs, S.C.;MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketed by Magnum Magnetics ofMarietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexible magnetically chargedmaterial known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2 andFIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a front view of a target 16 that may be affixed to thetarget surface 6. The target surface 6 may be comprised within the areadefined by the inner radius R1 of the first game piece 2, andalternately or additionally a target image 18 of the target may be smallenough to be fully encompassed within the area defined by the innerradius R1 of the first game piece 2. The target 16 may optionally bemagnetically charged and removably affixed to a magnetically attractivesurface, such as the target surface 6 of FIG. 2. Alternatively oradditionally, the target 16 may be comprised of the magnetic layer 10C,the outer layer 100, and/or the adhesive 100 as shown in FIG. 6, whereinthe target image 18 is presented upon the outer layer 10A. The target 16may be or comprise a flexible magnetic sheet material such as, but notlimited to, the 30 mil thick car magnetic sheeting as marketed byLogoMagnet.com, a division of Turner Graphics Corporation of BoilingSprings, S.C.; MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketed by MagnumMagnetics of Marietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexible magneticallycharged material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 9, FIG.9 is a front view of an alternate target 20 having a planar surface 22and a pair of legs 24 & 26. The planar surface 22 is magneticallycharged to attract the game pieces 2 & 8 and forms a mutually orthogonalheight H1 and width W. The planar surface 22 is preferably shaped topresent both (a.) a height H1 dimensioned within the range of from twotimes the game piece outer radius R2 or R4 to three feet or greater and(b.) a width dimension W, wherein the target surface width W isdimensioned within the range of from two times the game piece outerradius R2 or R4 to two feet or greater. The first leg 24 and the secondleg 26 are preferably detachably coupled with the planar surface 22.When coupled with the planar surface 22, the first leg 24 and the secondleg 26 each extend from the planar 22 for a leg height H2, wherein legheight H2 is preferable dimensioned in a range of from one foot to threefeet.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 10, FIG.10 is a side view of the alternate target 20 in a preferred inclinedposition for game play, wherein the alternate target 20 issimultaneously standing on a floor 28 and leaning against a wall 30. Inthe game play position, a highest point of the planar surface 22, i.e.,a point of the planar surface 22 most distal from the floor 28, may bepositioned at a resting height Hr above the floor 28 while separatecontact points between each leg 24 & 26 and the floor 28 is effected ata maximum displacement D from the wall 30. In certain alternatepreferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, thepreferred resting height Hr of the planar surface 22 may beapproximately four feet and four inches plus or minus six inches, andthe maximum displacement D of the legs from the wall 30 may beapproximately one foot plus or minus six inches.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 11, FIG.11 is a back view of the alternate target 20 wherein an optional pair ofapertures are available for use in hanging the alternate target 20 fromone or more features (not shown) of an external object, e.g., hooks (notshown) attached to the wall 30. The first aperture 32 and the secondaperture 34 preferably extend fully through the planar surface 22 andare preferably symmetrically located in reference to a height axis Ah,wherein the height axis Ah bisects the planar surface 22. A first springassembly 36 detachably couples the first leg 24 to the planar surface 22by applying compressive forces against the first leg 24 in at least twodirections that are each approximately orthogonal to the height axis Ah,wherein at least one compressive force is provided by a spring (notshown). A second spring assembly 38 detachably couples the second leg 26to the planar surface 22 by applying compressive forces against thesecond leg 26 in at least two directions that are each approximatelyorthogonal to the height axis Ah, wherein at least one compressive forceis provided by a spring (not shown).

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 12, FIG.12 is a cut-away side view detail of an optional first clip 40 of theplanar surface 22 inserted into a first channel 42 of the first leg 24.A first tongue 44 of the first clip 40 extends into the first channel 42while not necessarily filling the entire first channel 42, whereby thefirst clip 40 supports the detachable coupling of the first leg 24 withthe planar surface 22. It is understood that the second leg 26 may beadditionally detachably coupled with the planar surface 22 by anadditional optional clip.

The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of thepresent invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope ofthe present invention. The above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given includemany specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certainpossible applications of the present invention. The examples givenshould only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the applicationsof the present invention, and the full scope of the Present Inventionshould be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the just-described applications can be configuredwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention may bepracticed other than as specifically described herein. The scope of thepresent invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art andin light of the disclosures presented above.

1. A magnetic toss game piece comprising a substantively flat diskcomprising a magnetically charged body material forming an aperture. 2.The game piece of claim 1 having a mass of less than four ounces.
 3. Thegame piece of claim 1, wherein the body material fully encompasses theaperture.
 4. The game piece of claim 1, wherein the body has a surfacearea less than a surface area of the aperture.
 5. The game piece ofclaim 1, wherein the body has a surface area of less than one half ofthe surface area of the aperture.
 6. The game piece of claim 1, whereinthe body is shaped as a flat rim having an outer edge and an inner edge,and wherein the inner edge at least partially defines the aperture. 7.The game piece of claim 1, wherein at least one disk defines an outerradius dimensioned approximately within the range of from two inches toten inches.
 8. The game piece of claim 1, further comprising amagnetically attractive surface, wherein the surface is adapted forremovable attachment of the body material.
 9. A magnetic toss game setcomprising a plurality of flat magnetic disks, each disk having a bodymaterial forming an aperture.
 10. The magnetic toss game set of claim 9,wherein a first surface of the body material of a first disk of theplurality of disks at least partly presents an image.
 11. The magnetictoss game set of claim 10, wherein the image includes an element ofcolor selected from the color group consisting of red, blue, yellow,green, purple and orange.
 12. The magnetic toss game set of claim 9,wherein at least one disk defines an outer radius dimensionedapproximately within the range of from two inches to ten inches.
 13. Amagnetic toss game set comprising: a disk having a magnetically chargedbody material forming an aperture; and a target.
 14. The magnetic tossgame set of claim 13, the target further comprising a magneticallycharged target surface, whereby the target surface presents a magneticcharge opposite to the body material.
 15. The magnetic toss game set ofclaim 13, wherein the body material is shaped as a flat rim having anouter edge and an inner edge, and wherein the inner edge defines theaperture.
 16. The magnetic toss game set of claim 13, wherein the targetis magnetically charged and is removably attachable to an externalmagnetic surface.
 17. The magnetic toss game set of claim 13, furthercomprising a plurality of flat magnetic disks, each disk having a bodymaterial forming an aperture.
 18. The magnetic toss game set of claim17, wherein at least one body material of at least one disk is shaped asa flat rim having an outer edge and an inner edge, and wherein the inneredge defines the aperture.
 19. The magnetic toss game set of claim 17,wherein the target presents a smaller target surface area than anaperture surface area of the magnetic disk.
 20. The magnetic toss gameset of claim 17, wherein the target presents a target image having asmaller target surface area than an aperture surface area of themagnetic disk.